Circuit interrupter with motor operated spring charging means including two ratchets and two pawls

ABSTRACT

A motor operated circuit interrupter comprises an overcenter spring structure operable to a spring-charged closed position to prepare the circuit interrupter for a spring opening operation and to a spring-charged open position to prepare the circuit interrupter for a spring closing operation. Releasable latch means latches the overcenter spring structure in both of the spring charged positions. A motor operating mechanism comprises ratchet means operated by a motor and operable to operate the circuit interrupter to both of the spring-charged positions. The ratchet means comprises two ratchets and two pawls, one pawl and ratchet set engageable to charge the spring in one position, and the other pawl and ratchet set engageable to charge it in its other position.

United States Patent Davies [451 Mar. 28, 1972 i541 CIRCUIT INTERRUPTERWITH MOTOR OPERATED SPRING CHARGING MEANS INCLUDING TWO RATCHETS AND TWOPAWLS [72] inventor: Norman Davies, Trafford, Pa. [73] Assignee:Westinghouse Electric. Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[22] Filed: Jan. 14, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 106,330

[52] 0.5. CI. ..200/153 SC, 74/118, 185/40 R, 335/76 [51] int. Cl..Il01h 3/30, HOih 3/34 [58] Field of Search ..200/153 SC, 153 P; 185/40R; 335/68, 76, 77, 171, 140, 73; 74/118, 143

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,475,981 11/1969 Gerard..74/l43 Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-Robert A.Vanderhye Attorney-A. T. Stratton, C. L. McHaie and W. A. ElchikABSTRACT A motor operated circuit interrupter comprises an overcenterspring structure operable to a spring-charged closed position to preparethe circuit interrupter for a spring opening operation and to aspring-charged open position to prepare the circuit interrupter for aspring closing operation. Releasable latch means latches the overcenterspring structure in both of the spring charged positions. A motoroperating mechanism comprises ratchet means operated by a motor andoperable to operate the circuit interrupter to both of thespring-charged positions. The ratchet means comprises two ratchets andtwo pawls, one pawl and ratchet set engageable to charge the spring inone position, and the other pawl and ratchet set engageable to charge itin its other position.

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CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER WITH MOTOR OPERATED SPRING CHARGING MEANS INCLUDINGTWO RATCHETS AND TWO PAWLS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Theherein-disclosed circuit interrupter is disclosed in the copendingpatent application, of Norman Davies, Ser. No. 106,328, filed Jan.14,1971.-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Stored-energyspring operated circuit interrupters of the type comprising a motorenergizable to charge an operating spring structure.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the patent to Gerard, U.S. Pat. No.3,475,981, there is disclosed a motor operated switch comprising a motoroperating mechanism operable to drive a pair of ratchet wheels inopposite directions in order to charge an overcenter spring structure tothereby operate a switch between open and closed positions. Thisinvention is an improvement over prior art of the type disclosed in theGerard patent in that the circuit interrupter of this inventioncomprises latch means for latching the overcenter spring structure inboth of the stored energy positions, and the ratchet means of the motoroperating mechanism comprises missing-tooth portions on the ratchetwheels which enable the motor to overrun when the circuit interrupterreaches the stored energy positions. The motor operating mechanism alsocomprises improved means for shifting driving and holding pawls toprovide that the unidirectional motor will operate the ratchet means inthe desired direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A motor operated circuit interrupter comprisesa circuit interrupter structure and a motor operating mechanism. Thecircuit interrupter structure comprises a pair of contacts and anoperating shaft movable between open and closed positions to open andclose the contacts. An overcenter spring structure is movable to anovercenter spring-charged closed position to prepare for an openingoperation and to an overcenter spring charged open position to preparefor a closing operation. Releasable latch means is provided for latchingthe overcenter spring structure in both of the spring-charged positions.Upon release of the latch means when the overcenter spring structure isin the spring charged closed position the overcenter spring structurewill operate the operating shaft to the open position, and upon releaseof the latch means when the overcenter spring structure is in thespring-charged open position the overcenter spring structure willoperate the operating shaft to the closed position.

The motor operating mechanism comprises a ratchet structure comprisingan opening ratchet and a closing ratchet. An opening driving pawl isprovided for driving the opening ratchet and an opening holding pawl isprovided for holding the opening ratchet in the advanced position as thedriving pawl is operated. A closing driving pawl is provided for drivingthe closing ratchet and a closing holding pawl is provided for holdingthe closing ratchet in the advanced position as the closing driving pawlis operated. A motor comprises an output shaft operatively connected tothe driving pawls. A first link means connects the ratchet structurewith the overcenter spring structure and a second link meansconnects thepa'wls with the operating shaft. With the circuit interrupter in theclosed position, the second link means maintains the pawls in a positionwherein the opening driving pawl and the opening holding pawl arepositioned to operate the opening ratchet. Upon energization of themotor, the output shaft operates an eccentric to reciprocate the openingdriving pawl-against'the opening ratchet to thereby operate the firstlink means to move theovercenter spring structure to the spring-chargedclosed position. The opening ratchet is provided with a missing toothportion and when the overcenter spring structure reaches thespring-charged closed position continued operation of the motor willoperate the opening driving pawl against the missing tooth portionwithout applying damaging forces to the ratchet structure. Suitablelimit switch means is provided for deenergizing the motor when theovercenter spring structure reachesthe spring-charged closed position.With the overcenter spring structure in the spring charged closedposition the latch means can be released and the overcenter springstructure will operate to drive the operating shaft to the openposition.

Upon operation of the operating shaft to the open position the secondlink means operates automatically to move the opening driving pawl andopening holding pawl out of cooperative engagement with the openingratchet and to move the closing driving pawl and closing holding pawlinto cooperative engagement with the closing ratchet. With the circuitinterrupter in the open position, the motor, upon energization thereof,will drive the eccentric to reciprocate the closing driving pawl againstthe closing ratchet to advance the ratchet means in the oppositedirection during which movement the first link means operates theovercenter spring structure to the spring-charged open position. Whenthe overcenter spring structure reaches the spring charged open positionthe latch means automatically latches the overcenter spring structure inthe closing spring-charged position, and the closing ratchet ispositioned such that the closing driving pawl operates against a missingtooth portion of the closing ratchet so that continued operation of themotor will not apply damaging forces on the ratchet structure. A limitswitch is operated to automatically deenergize the motor when theovercenter spring structure reaches the spring-charged open position.With the overcenter spring structure in the springcharged open positionthe latch means is releasable whereupon the overcenter spring structureoperates to drive the operating shaft in the closing direction to, theclosed position. Upon operation of the operating shaft to the closedposition the second link means operates automatically to move theclosing driving pawl and closing holding pawl out of cooperativeengagement with the closing ratchet and to move the opening driving pawland opening holding pawl into cooperative engagement with the openingratchet.

Upon operation of the operating shaft to both the closed and openposition a limit'switch is operated to prepare the motor circuit for asubsequent operation. The motor, which is a unidirectional motor,operates both the closing driving pawl and the opening driving pawl tooperate the ratchet means. An improved linkage is provided for shiftingthe pawl means into the proper operating condition upon operation of theoperating shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a motoroperated multipole circuit interrupter constructed in accordance withprinciples of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the circuit interrupter disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line III- III OFFIG. 2 with the open position of the circuit interrupter being shown inbroken lines;

FIG. 4 is a side view with parts broken away to better illustrate partof the operating mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a front view, with parts broken away, of the mechanismillustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along the line VI-VI of FIG. 5; 1

FIG. 7 is a side view, with parts broken away of part of the mechanismseen in FIG. 4 in the spring discharged closed position with anarrow-type illustration of the direction of movement of various parts;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 illustrating the spring chargedclosed position;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the circuit interrupter in thespring discharged open position with an arrow-type illustration of thedirection of movement of various parts;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the eccentric seen in FIG.

FIG. 1 1 is a side view of the eccentric seen in FIG.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating the operation of the eccentric indriving closing ratchet; and

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating the spring-charged open positron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, thereis shown, in FIGS. 1 and 2, a motor operated circuit interrupter 5comprising a circuit interrupter 7 and a motor operating mechanism 9.The circuit interrupter 7 is more specifically shown and described inthe copending patent application of Norman Davies, Ser. No. 106,328filed Jan. 14,1971.

The circuit interrupter 7 comprises support means 10 and acircuit-interrupter structure 11 supported on the support means 10. Thesupport means 10 comprises a backplate means 13 and a pair of side platemeans 15, connected to the backplate 13. A pair of elongated channelmembers 17 are supported on the side plate means for supporting theterminal of the circuit interrupter.

The circuit-interrupter structure 11 comprises three sta- I tionarycontacts 21 (FIGS. 2 and 3) supported on three spaced insulating members23 that are supported on one of the back support channel members 17. Aseparate movable contact arm 25 is provided to cooperate with each ofthe stationary contacts 21. Each of the contact arms 25 comprises a pairof spaced contact members (FIG. 2) that comprise contact portions thatengage the opposite sides of the associated stationary contact 21 in theclosed position of the contacts. Each of the contact arms 25 issupported for pivotal movement on a separate conducting terminal 27 bymeans of a pivot pin 29. Each of the terminals 27 is supported on aninsulating support 31 that is in turn supported on one of the channelsupport members 17. In each pole unit a terminal plate 33 is connectedto the contact 21 and a terminal plate 35 is connected to the terminal27 to enable connection of the pole unit in an electric circuit.

In each pole unit an elongated link 37 (FIG. 3) is pivotally connectedat one end thereof, to the movable contact arm 25 by means of a pivotpin 39 and at the other end thereof to a member 41 by means of a pivotpin 43. Each of the members 41 is an integral part of an elongatedoperating shaft 45. As can be understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and3, the operating shaft 45 is supported on the side plate means 15 forrotational movement about the elongated axis thereof. The circuitinterrupter is shown in full lines in FIG. 3 in the closed position.Upon counterclockwise movement of the operating shaft 45 to the openposition shown in broken lines, the three links 37 of the three poleunits are moved to move the contact arms 25 to the open position shownin broken lines. Reverse or clockwise movement of the operating shaft 45from the position shown in broken lines operates through the links 37 tomove the three contact arms 25 from the open position shown in brokenlines to the closed position in full lines.

An operating mechanism 49 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) is provided for operatingthe operating shaft 45 between the closed and open positions. Theoperating mechanism 49 comprises drive means 51, an overcenter springstructure 53, a latch linkage 55, a latch structure 57 and a trip device59.

The drive means 51 comprises a drive member 61 supported on theoperating shaft 45 for rotational movement relative to the operatingshaft 45. The drive member 61 is provided with an opening 63 forreceiving a crank rod that can be placed into the opening 63 in order tocrank the drive member 61 between the open and closed positions.

The overcenter spring structure 53 comprises an elongated rod 67 (FIG.4) that extends at one end thereof through an opening 69 in a stationaryplate 71 that is connected on the side plate means 15. A pin 73 andwasher 75 are supported on the rod 67. An overcenter spring 77 issupported on the rod 67 between the washer 75 and the plate 71. The rod67 is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to an intermediatemember 79 by means of a pin 81. As can be understood with reference toFIG. 5, the pin 81 extends out through opposite sides of the member 79.The member 79 is supported on the operating shaft 45 for rotationalmovement relative to the operating shaft 45. A member 85 is fixedlysecured to the operating shaft 45. The member 85 is provided with anextension 87 at one side of the operating shaft and an extension 89 atthe other side of the operating shaft 45. The member 85 is also providedwith an integral extension or toggle link 91 that serves as one link ofa toggle of the latch linkage 55in a manner to be hereinafter described.The other toggle link is a member 93 that is pivotally connected at oneend thereof to the part 91 by means of a pivot pin 95 and at the otherend thereof to an elongated link 97 by means of a pivot pin 99. The link97 is pivotally supported, intermediate the ends thereof, on astationary support bracket 10] by means of a pin 103. The supportbracket 101 is suitably secured to the side plate means 15. The link 97is provided with a notch 105 at the upper end thereof that engages aroller 107 of a roller latch 109. The roller latch 109 is pivotallysupported on the bracket 101 by means of a pin 111. The roller latch 109is provided with a roller 113 at the other end thereof that engages in anotch 115 of a latch member 117 that is pivotally supported on thebracket 101 by means of a pivot pin 119. A torsion spring 121 biases theroller latch 109 in a clockwise direction to the latching position seenin FIG. 5, and a torsion spring 123 biases the latch 1 17 in acounterclockwise direction to the latching position seen in FIG. 5. Thelatch 117 is provided with an extension 127 that can be manually movedto pivot the latch 117 in a clockwise direction in order to operate theinterrupter in a manner to be hereinafter described. The extension 127may also be actuated by the electromagnetic trip 59 that comprises aplunger 129 that is raised when the electromagnet 59 is energized tothereby automatically move the latch 117 in a clockwise (FIG. 4)direction to the actuated position.

The circuit interrupter is shown in the spring discharged closedposition in FIGS. 1-5. The circuit interrupter is operated to the openposition by automatic operation of the motor operating mechanism 9, in amanner to be hereinafter described, that moves the drive member 61counterclockwise (FIG. 4). During this movement, an extended part 131 ofthe drive member 61 engages the pin 81 (FIGS. 4 and 5) to drive theintermediate member 79 and spring rod 67 from the spring dischargedclosed position seen in FIG. 5 to the overcenter spring-charged closedposition indicated in FIG. 8. During this movement, the spring 77 ischarged and near the end of this movement, the spring rod 67 passesovercenter relative to the axis of the operating shaft 45 whereupon thespring 77 starts to discharge driving the pin 81 against the extendedpart 87 of the member 85 to bias the member 85 and the operating shaft45, to which the member 85 is secured, in a counterclockwise (FIG. 6)direction toward the spring discharged open position indicated in FIG.9. The overcenter spring structure 53 is latched in this spring-chargedclosed position (FIG. 8) by the latch linkage 55 (FIG. 4) which preventscounterclockwise rotation of the operation shaft 45 and by the latchstructure 57 which latches the latch linkage 55 in the closed latchposition seen in FIG. 5. In this position, it is noted that a toggle 91,93 of the latch linkage 55 is underset or collapsed in a downward (FIG.5) direction. When the interrupter reaches the springcharged closedposition the motor operating mechanism 9 is automatically deenergized ina manner to be hereinafter described. The parts will remain in thespring-charged closed position until release of the latch linkage 55.Thus, energy is stored for a closing operation. In order to close thecircuit interrupter with the spring 77 in the spring charged closedposition, the latch member 117 (FIG. 4) is pivoted in a clockwisedirection manually, by lifting the part 127, or electromagnetically byoperation of the electromagnet 59 to move the plunger 129 upward to liftthe part 127. During this movement, the latch 117 moves to release theroller 113 from the notch 115 permitting the roller latch 109 to rotatein a counterclockwise direction about the pin 111. This movement permitsthe roller 107 to move out of the notch 105 permitting the elongatedlink 97 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin103. This movement releases the toggle 91, 93 to release the operatingshaft 45 whereupon the charged spring 77 discharges driving the rod 67from the spring-charged closed position indicated in FIG. 8 to thespring discharged open position indicated in FIG. 9 with the pin 81operating against the extended part 87 of the member 85 to drive themember 85, and the operating shaft 45 to which the member 85 is secured,in a counterclockwise direction from the spring-charged closed positionto the spring discharged open position. During this movement, theoperating shaft 45 rotates from the closed position seen in full linesin FIG. 3 to the open position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3 moving thelinks 37 of the three pole units to the position seen in broken lines inFIG. 3 to thereby move the three contact arms 25 to the open positionseen in broken lines in FIG. 3. Upon movement of the parts from thespring-charged closed position indicated in FIG. 8 to the springdischarged open position indicated in FIG. 9, the toggle 91, 93 is movedfrom the collapsed or downward underset position indicated in FIG. 8 tothe collapsed or upward underset position indicated in FIG. 9 duringwhich movement the link 97 is moved first in a counterclockwisedirection as the toggle 91, 93 moves to the erected position and then ina clockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 collapses to the upwardunderset position indicated in FIG. 9. This movement automaticallyresets the toggle link 97 in the latching position and the springs 121,123 automatically reset the latches 109, 117 respectively in thelatching position.

In order to operate the circuit interrupter from the spring dischargedopen position indicated in FIG. 9 to the spring discharged closedposition seen in FIG. 4, the circuit interrupter is first operated to aspring-charged open position seen in FIG. 14. With the circuitinterrupter in the position indicated in FIG. 9, the motor operatingmechanism 9 is automatically energized, in a manner to be hereinafterdescribed, to drive the drive member 61 clockwise. During this movement,the projecting portion 133 of the drive member 61 operates against thepin 81 to drive the member 79 and the rod 67 from the spring dischargedopen position indicated in FIG. 9 to the spring-charged open positionindicated in FIG. 14. During this movement, the rod 67 goes overcenterrelative to the axis of the operating shaft 45 and the spring 77, whichis charged during the early part of this movement, starts to dischargeforcingthe rod 67 and member 79 in a counterclockwise direction. Thismovement is limited by the engagement of the pin 81 with the projectingpart 89 of the member 85, that is secured to the operating shaft 45, andwith the latch linkage 55 latched by means of the latch structure 57,the partsare latched in the stored-energy spring-charged open positionseen in FIG. 14. When the parts reach the spring charged open positionthe motor operating mechanism 9 is automatically deenergized in a mannerto be hereinafter described. In order to release the stored energy andclose the circuit breaker, the part 127 of the latch member 117 islifted, either manually or electromagnetically, to rotate the latch 1 17in a counterclockwise direction to release the roller 113 from the notch115 to release the roller latch member 109 permitting counterclockwisemovement of the roller latch member 109. Upon release of the rollerlatch member 109 the roller I07 moves out of the notch 105 of the link97 to permit counterclockwise movement of the link 97. This movementpermits the toggle 91, 93 to move from the upward underset position seeninFIG. 14 to thereby permit clockwise movement of the operating shaft45. The spring 77 discharges moving the rod 67 from the spring-chargedopen position indicated in FIG. 14 to the spring discharged closedposition seen in FIG. 4. During this movement the pin 81, operatingagainst the part 89 of the member 85, drives the member and operatingshaft 45 from the spring-charged open position seen in FIG. 14 to thespring discharged closed position seen in FIG. 5. During this movement,the operating shaft 45 rotates in a clockwise (FIG. 3) direction to movethe links 37 and the three contact arms 25 from the open position seenin broken lines in FIG. 3 to the closed position seen in full lines inFIG. 3. During this movement to the closed position, the movement of theoperating shaft 45, operating through the toggle 91, 93, first moves thelink 97 in a counterclockwise direction as the toggle 91, 93 moves tothe erected position and then the link 97 is moved in a clockwisedirection as the toggle 91, 93 moves to the downward underset positionseen in FIG. 4. This movement moves the link 97 to the latching positionseen in FIG. 4, and the springs 121, 123 operate to automatically resetthe roller latch member 109 and latch member 117 in the latched positionseen in FIG. 5. The circuit interrupter may then be operated to thespring-charged closed position seen in FIG. 6 and to the springdischarged open position seen in FIG. 7 in the same manner as washereinbefore described. As was hereinbefore set forth, the operation ofthe circuit interrupter is more specifically disclosed in the copendingapplication of Norman Davies, Ser. No. 106,328 filed Jan. 14, 1971.

The motor operating mechanism 9 comprises another back plate means 143(FIGS. 1-5) supported between the side plate means 15, and a pair ofadditional supporting plates 145 (FIG. 5) supported on the backplatemeans 143. An additional Supporting plate 147 is supported between theside plates 145 by support rods 149 that also space the side plates 145.A unidirectional motor 151, supported on one of the side plates 145,comprises an output shaft 153 that is connected to an eccentric member155 by means of anint ermediate connecting member 157 (FIG. 5). Theeccentric member 155 (FIGS. 10 and 11) comprises a pair of bearing parts159 at the opposite ends thereof and an eccentric intermediate part 161.The member 155 is supported for movement about the elongated axis of theparts 159 on the plate 147 and the one side plate 145 (FIG. 5). Ratchetmeans 163 (FIGS. 5 and 7) comprising an opening ratchet wheel 165 and aclosing ratchet wheel 167, is supported on a shaft 169 that is supportedfor rotation on the plates 147, 145' (FIGS. 5 and 7). As can beunderstood with reference to the drawings the direction of the teeth ofthe opening ratchet wheel 165 is reversed from the direction of theteeth of the closing ratchet wheel 167. A linkage 171 connects the shaft169 with the drive member 61. The linkage 171 comprises a first link 173supported on the shaft 169 ,to move with the shaft 169 and an elongatedlink 175 pivotally connected at the lower end thereof to the link 173 bymeans of a pivot pin 177 and at the upper end thereof to a link 179 bymeans of a pivot pin 181. The link 179 is an integral extension part ofthe drive member 61.

Pawl means (FIG. 7) is provided for driving the ratchet means 163. Thepawl means 185 comprises an opening driving pawl 187, a closing drivingpawl 189, an opening holding pawl 191 and a closing holding pawl 193.Each of the driving pawls 187, 189 is provided with a circular openingtherein that receives the circular eccentric part 161 of "the eccentricmember 155. The opening driving pawl 187 is provided with an elongatedextension 191 and the closing driving pawl 189 is provided with anelongated extension 193. A pin 201 on the end portion 191 of the openingdriving pawl-187 is positioned in a slot 203 of an elongated link member205A spring 207 is connected to the pin 201 at one end thereof and to astationary pin 209 at the other end thereof to bias the openin'g drivingpawl 187 generally counterclockwise on the eccentric member 155. A pin211 on the part 193 of the closing driving pawl 189 is positioned in aslot 213 of a link member 215. An elongated spring 217 is connected atthe upper end thereof to the pin 211 and at the lower end thereof to astationary pin 219 to bias the closing driving pawl 1 89 generallyclockwise about the eccentric member 155. The opening holding pawl 191is pivotally supported on a stationary pin 221. A leg portion 223 of thepawl 191 supports a pin 225 which is positioned in a slot 227 of a link229. A spring 231 is supported between the pin 225 and the stationarypin 209 to bias the opening holding pawl 191 in a counterclockwisedirection about the pin 221. The closing holding pawl 193 is pivotallysupported on a stationary pin 235. The closing holding pawl 193comprises an extension 237 that supports a pin 239 that moves in a slot241 of a link member 243. An elongated spring 245 is connected at theupper end thereof to the pin 239 and at the lower end thereof to thestationary pin 219 to bias the closing holding pawl 193 in a clockwisedirection about the pin 235. An elongated link 247 is pivotallysupported intermediate the ends thereof on a stationary pin 249 that issupported between the plates 147, 145. The link 205 is pivotallyconnected to the link 247 by means of a pin 251. The link 229 ispivotally connected to the link 247 by means of a pin 253. The link 215is pivotally connected to the link 247 by means of a pin 255. The link243 is pivotally connected to the link 247 by means of a pin 257. Anelongated link 261 is provided with a slot 263 in the lower end thereofwhich receives the pin 251 to connect the link 261 to the link 247. Thelink 261, at

5 operated circuit interrupter then remains in the spring charged closedposition, with the motor 151 deenergized, until the latch member 117 ismoved to the unlatching or tripping position to effect an openingoperation in the manner that was hereinbefore described.

Upon tripping movement of the latch 117, the overcenter spring structure53 operates the circuit interrupter to the open position seen in brokenlines in FIG. 3 in the manner hereinbefore described. During thismovement, the operating shaft 45 (FIG. 7) is rotated counterclockwise tothe spring discharged open position seen in FIG. 9. During this movementthe link 261 is moved upward to the position seen in FIG. 9 to pivot thelink 247 clockwise. During this movement, the links 205, 209 are drawnupward to disengage the opening driving pawl 187 and the opening holdingpawl 191, and the links 215, 243 are moved downward to permit thesprings 217, 245 to engage the closing driving pawl 189 and the closingholding pawl 193. During this upward movement of the link 261, theprojection 277 is moved up to operate the toggle 281 of the switch 283to the upper end thereof, is pivotally connected to a part 269 ofthereby energize the motor Upon energization of the the operating shaft245 by means of a pin 271 (FIGS. 5 and 7).

A bracket 275, which is secured to the link 261, comprises a pair ofextensions 277, 279 that operate a toggle 281 of a limit switch 283.

A plate 293 (FIGS. 5 and 6), which is connected to rotate with theratchet shaft 169, comprises a pair of pins 295, 297 that operate atoggle 299 of a limit switch 301.

A switch 305 is provided for cutting off power to the motor 151 forrepairs and inspection purposes.

The parts are shown in FIG. 7 in the position reached just at theexpiration of a closing operation of the circuit interrupter. During theclosing operation, the operating shaft moved counterclockwise to theposition seen in FIG. 7 to move the link 261 downward which movementoperated the link 247 in the counterclockwise position to the positionseen in FIG. 7. 40

During this movement, the spring 207 moved the opening driving pawl 187counterclockwise into cooperative engagement with the teeth of theopening ratchet wheel 165, and the spring 231 moved the opening holdingpawl 191 counterclockwise into cooperative engagement with the teeth ofthe opening ratchet wheel 165. This counterclockwise movement of thelink 247 also operated to pull the closing driving pawl 189 and theclosing holding pawl 193 out of cooperative engagement with the closingratchet wheel 167 (FIG. 7). This downward movement of the link 26] hasalso moved the projection 279 downward to operate the toggle 281 of thelimit switch 283 to energize the motor 151 (FIG. 5). Upon energizationof the motor 151, the output shaft is rotated to rotate the eccentric155 clockwise (FIG. 7) about the axis of the bearing parts 159 toreciprocate the opening driving pawl 187. Upon each revolution of themember 155, the opening driving pawl 187 advances the ratchet wheel 165counterclockwise one tooth and the holding pawl 191 holds the ratchetwheel 165 in the advanced position until the driving pawl 187 advancesthe ratchet wheel 169 upon the next revolution of the member 155. Thismovement rotates the shaft 169 counterclockwise (FIG. 7). As the shaft169 rotates counterclockwise the link 173 moves the link 175 to operatethrough the pin 181 to drive the drive member 51 counterclockwise (FIG.7) from the spring discharged closed position (FIG. 7) to thespringcharged closed position (FIG. 8). As was hereinbefore described,the overcenter spring structure 53 reaches an overtoggle or overcenterspring-charged opening position and the latch linkage 55 and latchstructure 57 latch the mechanism in the overcenter spring charged closedposition. When the parts reach the overcenter spring-charged closedposition a missing tooth portion 307 on the opening ratchet wheel 165 isadjacent the opening driving pawl 187 so that continued operation of themotor 151 will not apply damaging forces to the motor 151, the eccentric159 is rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 9) to reciprocate the openingdriving pawl 189 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. Duringeach revolution of the member 155, the closing driving pawl 189 isreciprocated to advance the closing ratchet wheel 167 one tooth with theclosing holding pawl 193 holding the ratchet wheel 167 in the advancedposition.

It can be understood with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, 12 and 13 that theunidirectional motor 151 rotates the eccentric 155 clockwise for boththe spring charging operations, When the opening driving pawl 187operates the opening ratchet wheel 165, the ratchet shaft 169 is rotatedcounterclockwise and when the closing driving pawl 189 operates theclosing ratchet wheel 167 the ratchet shaft 169 is rotated in clockwise.

As the closing ratchet wheel 167 is rotated clockwise (FIG. 9) the shaft169 is rotated clockwise to move the link 173 to thereby move the link175 downward to thereby move the drive member 61 in a clockwisedirection. This movement moves the overcenter spring structure 53 fromthe spring 5 discharged open position seen in FIG. 9 to the overcenterspring-charged open position (FIG. 14). The latch linkage 55 and latchstructure 57 latch the overcenter spring structure 53 in the springcharged open position in the same manner as was hereinbefore described.When the ratchet wheel 167 reaches 50 the spring charged open position,a missing tooth portion 309 thereon is adjacent the closing driving pawl189 so that continued operation of the motor 151 will not apply damagingforces to the ratchet wheel 167. When the parts have reached thespring-charged open position, the projection 295 (FIG. 6)

5 5 on the plate 293 engages the toggle 299 of the limit switch 301 todeenergize the motor 151 and the inertia of the parts brings the motorto a stopped condition. The circuit interrupter will remain in thespring charged open position until the latch 117 is moved to thetripping position. Upon movement of the latch l 17 to the trippingposition, the overcenter spring structure 53 will drive the operatingshaft 45 clockwise from open position seen in broken lines in FIG. 3 tothe closed position seen in full lines in FIG. 3 to thereby close thecontacts of the circuit interrupter with the parts moving to the springdischarged closed position (FIG. 7) in the same manner as washereinbemovement, the projection 279 moves down to engage and actuatethe toggle 281 of the switch 283 to energize the motor 151 to therebyoperate the overcenter spring structure from the spring dischargedclosed position (FIG. 7) to the spring charged closed position (FIG. 8)in the same manner as was hereinbefore described.

I claim as my invention:

1. A motor operated circuit interrupter comprising a circuit interrupterand a motor operating mechanism;

said circuit interrupter comprising a pair of contacts and an operatingshaft movable between open and closed positions to open and close saidcontacts, an overcenter spring structure movable from a springdischarged closed position to a spring-charged closed position toprepare for an opening operation and from a spring discharged openposition to a spring charged open position to prepare for a closingoperation, releasable latch means for latching said overcenter springstructure in said spring-charged closed position and in said springcharged open position,

a motor operating mechanism for operating said overcenter springstructure to said spring-charged closed position and to saidspring-charged open position, said motor operating mechanism comprisinga ratchet structure, a first link means connecting said ratchetstructure with said overcenter spring structure, pawl means comprisingan opening driving pawl a closing driving pawl an opening holding pawland a closing holding pawl, a motor comprising an output shaftoperatively connected to said opening driving pawl and to said closingdriving pawl, a second link means operatively connecting said pawl meanswith said operating shaft,

with said circuit interrupter in the spring discharged closed positionsaid second link means maintaining said pawl means in an openingposition wherein said opening driving pawl and said opening holding pawlare in cooperative engagement with said ratchet structure and whereinsaid closing driving pawl and said closing holding pawl are disengagedfrom said ratchet structure,

upon energization of said motor with said circuit interrupter in thespring discharged closed position and said pawl means in the openingposition said output shaft rotating to reciprocate said opening drivingpawl against said ratchet structure to thereby operate said first linkmeans to move said overcenter spring structure from said springdischarged closed position to said spring-charged closed position, saidratchet structure comprising a first missing tooth portion automaticallypositioned adjacent said opening driving pawl when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring charged closed position, a firstswitch means automatically deenergizing said motor when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring charged closed position,

upon release of said releasable latch means with said overcenter springstructure in said spring-charged closed position said overcenter springstructure moving to a spring discharged open position to drive saidoperating shaft from said closed position to said open position, uponmovement of said Operating shaft from said closed position to said openposition said second link means being automatically operated to movesaid pawl means to a closing position wherein said closing driving pawland said closing holding pawl are in cooperative engagement with saidratchet structure and wherein said opening driving pawl and said openingholding pawl are disengaged from said ratchet structure,

upon energization of said motor with said circuit interrupter in thespring discharged open position and said pawl means in the closingposition said output shaft rotating to reciprocate said closing drivingpawl against said ratchet structure to thereby operate said first linkmeans to move said overcenter spring structure from said springdischarged open position to said spring-charged open position, saidratchet structure comprising a second missing tooth portionautomatically positioned adjacent said closing driving pawl when saidovercenter spring structure reaches said spring-charged open position,said first switch means automatically deenergizing said motor when saidovercenter spring structure reaches said springcharged open position,

upon release of said latch means with said overcenter spring structurein said spring-charged open position said overcenter spring structuremoving to said spring discharged closed position to drive said operatingshaft from said openposition to said closed position and upon operationof said operating shaft from said open position to said closed positionsaid second link means being automatically operated to move said pawlmeans to said opening position.

2. A motor operated circuit interrupter according to claim 1, a secondlimit switch means, and upon operation of said output shaft to said openposition and to said closed position means automatically operating saidsecond limit switch means to energize said motor.

3. A motor operated circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said motorbeing a unidirectional motor, and said means operatively connecting saidoutput shaft of said unidirectional motor with said opening driving pawland with said closing driving pawl comprising an eccentric means forreciprocating said opening driving pawl and said closing driving pawl.

4. A motor operated circuit interrupter according to claim 1, saidsecond link means comprising an elongated link pivotally supportedintermediate the ends thereof, a pair of links on a first side of thepivot of said elongated link connecting said elongated link with saidholding driving pawl and said opening driving pawl, a second pair oflinks on the opposite side of said elongated link connecting saidelongated link with said closing driving pawl and said closing holdingpawl, an operating link connecting said elongated link with saidoperating shaft to pivot said elongated link upon operation of saidoperating shaft between the open and closed positions, upon operation ofsaid operating shaft to the open position said elongated link pivotingto effect movement of saidpawl means to said closing position and uponoperation of said operating shaft to the closed position said elongatedlink pivoting to effect movement of said pawl means to said openingposition.

5. A circuit interrupter according to claim 4, a second limit switchmeans, and means on said second link means automatically operating saidsecond limit switch means to energize said motor upon operation of saidoperating shaft to said open position and upon operation of saidoperating shaft to said closed position.

6. A circuit interrupter according to claim 5, said motor being aunidirectional motor, and said means connecting said output shaft withsaid opening driving pawl and with said closing driving pawl comprisingan eccentric for reciprocating said opening driving pawl and saidclosing driving pawl.

7. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said ratchet structurecomprising an opening ratchet wheel and a closing ratchet wheel, arotatable ratchet shaft connected to said opening ratchet wheel and saidclosing ratchet wheel, said first link means connecting said ratchetshaft with said overcenter spring structure, in said opening position ofsaid pawl means said opening driving pawl and said opening holding pawlbeing in cooperative engagement with said opening ratchet wheel and saidclosing driving pawl and said closing holding pawl being disengaged fromsaid closing ratchet wheel, in the closing position of said pawl meanssaid closing driving pawl and said closing holding pawl being incooperative engagement with said closing ratchet wheel and said openingholding pawl and said opening driving pawl being disengaged from saidopening ratchet wheel, said first missing tooth portion being a part ofsaid opening ratchet wheel and said second missing tooth portion being apart of said closing ratchet wheel.

8. A circuit interrupter according to claim 7, a second limit switchmeans, upon operation of said operating shaft to said open positionmeans automatically operating said second limit switch means to energizesaid motor, and upon operation of said operating shaft to said closedposition means automatically operating said second limit switch means toenergize said motor.

9. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1, said motor being aunidirectional motor, an eccentric connected to said output shaft ofsaid motor, said opening driving pawl having an opening thereinreceiving said eccentric, said closing driving pawl having an openingtherein receiving said eccentric, with said pawl means in said openingposition said eccentric reciprocating said opening driving pawl againstsaid ratchet structure upon rotation of said output shaft, and with saidpawl means in said closing position said eccentric reciprocating saidclosing driving pawl against said ratchet structure upon rotation ofsaid output shaft.

10. A circuit interrupter according to claim 9, a ratchet shaftsupported for rotation, said ratchet structure comprising an openingratchet wheel mounted on said ratchet shaft and a closing ratchet wheelmounted on said ratchet shaft, said first link means connecting saidratchet shaft with said overcenter spring structure, with said pawlmeans in the opening position said opening driving pawl and said openingholding pawl engaging said opening ratchet wheel to drive said ratchetshaft in a first direction upon encrgization of said motor, with saidpawl means in said closing position said closing driving pawl and saidclosing holding pawl engaging said closing ratchet wheel to drive saidratchet shaft in a second direction opposite said first direction uponenergization of said motor.

1 l. A circuit interrupter according to claim 9, a second limit switchmeans, upon operation of said operating shaft to said open positionmeans automatically operating said second limit switch means to energizesaid motor, and upon operation of said operating shaft to the closedposition, means automatically operating said second limit switch meansto energize said motor.

1. A motor operated circuit interrupter comprising a circuit interrupterand a motor operating mechanism; said circuit interrupter comprising apair of contacts and an operating shaft movable between open and closedpositions to open and close said contacts, an overcenter springstructure movable from a spring discharged closed position to aspringcharged closed position to prepare for an opening operation andfrom a spring discharged open position to a spring charged open positionto prepare for a closing operation, releasable latch means for latchingsaid overcenter spring structure in said spring-charged closed positionand in said spring charged open position, a motor operating mechanismfor operating said overcenter spring structure to said spring-chargedclosed position and to said spring-charged open position, said motoroperating mechanism comprising a ratchet structure, a first link meansconnecting said ratchet structure with said overcenter spring structure,pawl means comPrising an opening driving pawl a closing driving pawl anopening holding pawl and a closing holding pawl, a motor comprising anoutput shaft operatively connected to said opening driving pawl and tosaid closing driving pawl, a second link means operatively connectingsaid pawl means with said operating shaft, with said circuit interrupterin the spring discharged closed position said second link meansmaintaining said pawl means in an opening position wherein said openingdriving pawl and said opening holding pawl are in cooperative engagementwith said ratchet structure and wherein said closing driving pawl andsaid closing holding pawl are disengaged from said ratchet structure,upon energization of said motor with said circuit interrupter in thespring discharged closed position and said pawl means in the openingposition said output shaft rotating to reciprocate said opening drivingpawl against said ratchet structure to thereby operate said first linkmeans to move said overcenter spring structure from said springdischarged closed position to said spring-charged closed position, saidratchet structure comprising a first missing tooth portion automaticallypositioned adjacent said opening driving pawl when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring charged closed position, a firstswitch means automatically deenergizing said motor when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring charged closed position, uponrelease of said releasable latch means with said overcenter springstructure in said spring-charged closed position said overcenter springstructure moving to a spring discharged open position to drive saidoperating shaft from said closed position to said open position, uponmovement of said operating shaft from said closed position to said openposition said second link means being automatically operated to movesaid pawl means to a closing position wherein said closing driving pawland said closing holding pawl are in cooperative engagement with saidratchet structure and wherein said opening driving pawl and said openingholding pawl are disengaged from said ratchet structure, uponenergization of said motor with said circuit interrupter in the springdischarged open position and said pawl means in the closing positionsaid output shaft rotating to reciprocate said closing driving pawlagainst said ratchet structure to thereby operate said first link meansto move said overcenter spring structure from said spring dischargedopen position to said spring-charged open position, said ratchetstructure comprising a second missing tooth portion automaticallypositioned adjacent said closing driving pawl when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring-charged open position, said firstswitch means automatically deenergizing said motor when said overcenterspring structure reaches said spring-charged open position, upon releaseof said latch means with said overcenter spring structure in saidspring-charged open position said overcenter spring structure moving tosaid spring discharged closed position to drive said operating shaftfrom said open position to said closed position and upon operation ofsaid operating shaft from said open position to said closed positionsaid second link means being automatically operated to move said pawlmeans to said opening position.
 2. A motor operated circuit interrupteraccording to claim 1, a second limit switch means, and upon operation ofsaid output shaft to said open position and to said closed positionmeans automatically operating said second limit switch means to energizesaid motor.
 3. A motor operated circuit interrupter according to claim1, said motor being a unidirectional motor, and said means operativelyconnecting said output shaft of said unidirectional motor with saidopening driving pawl and with said closing driving pawl comprising aneccentric means for reciprocating said opening driving pawl and saidclosing driving pawl.
 4. A motor operated circuiT interrupter accordingto claim 1, said second link means comprising an elongated linkpivotally supported intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of links on afirst side of the pivot of said elongated link connecting said elongatedlink with said holding driving pawl and said opening driving pawl, asecond pair of links on the opposite side of said elongated linkconnecting said elongated link with said closing driving pawl and saidclosing holding pawl, an operating link connecting said elongated linkwith said operating shaft to pivot said elongated link upon operation ofsaid operating shaft between the open and closed positions, uponoperation of said operating shaft to the open position said elongatedlink pivoting to effect movement of said pawl means to said closingposition and upon operation of said operating shaft to the closedposition said elongated link pivoting to effect movement of said pawlmeans to said opening position.
 5. A circuit interrupter according toclaim 4, a second limit switch means, and means on said second linkmeans automatically operating said second limit switch means to energizesaid motor upon operation of said operating shaft to said open positionand upon operation of said operating shaft to said closed position.
 6. Acircuit interrupter according to claim 5, said motor being aunidirectional motor, and said means connecting said output shaft withsaid opening driving pawl and with said closing driving pawl comprisingan eccentric for reciprocating said opening driving pawl and saidclosing driving pawl.
 7. A circuit interrupter according to claim 1,said ratchet structure comprising an opening ratchet wheel and a closingratchet wheel, a rotatable ratchet shaft connected to said openingratchet wheel and said closing ratchet wheel, said first link meansconnecting said ratchet shaft with said overcenter spring structure, insaid opening position of said pawl means said opening driving pawl andsaid opening holding pawl being in cooperative engagement with saidopening ratchet wheel and said closing driving pawl and said closingholding pawl being disengaged from said closing ratchet wheel, in theclosing position of said pawl means said closing driving pawl and saidclosing holding pawl being in cooperative engagement with said closingratchet wheel and said opening holding pawl and said opening drivingpawl being disengaged from said opening ratchet wheel, said firstmissing tooth portion being a part of said opening ratchet wheel andsaid second missing tooth portion being a part of said closing ratchetwheel.
 8. A circuit interrupter according to claim 7, a second limitswitch means, upon operation of said operating shaft to said openposition means automatically operating said second limit switch means toenergize said motor, and upon operation of said operating shaft to saidclosed position means automatically operating said second limit switchmeans to energize said motor.
 9. A circuit interrupter according toclaim 1, said motor being a unidirectional motor, an eccentric connectedto said output shaft of said motor, said opening driving pawl having anopening therein receiving said eccentric, said closing driving pawlhaving an opening therein receiving said eccentric, with said pawl meansin said opening position said eccentric reciprocating said openingdriving pawl against said ratchet structure upon rotation of said outputshaft, and with said pawl means in said closing position said eccentricreciprocating said closing driving pawl against said ratchet structureupon rotation of said output shaft.
 10. A circuit interrupter accordingto claim 9, a ratchet shaft supported for rotation, said ratchetstructure comprising an opening ratchet wheel mounted on said ratchetshaft and a closing ratchet wheel mounted on said ratchet shaft, saidfirst link means connecting said ratchet shaft with said overcenterspring structure, with said pawl means in the opening position saidopening driving pawl and said opening holding Pawl engaging said openingratchet wheel to drive said ratchet shaft in a first direction uponenergization of said motor, with said pawl means in said closingposition said closing driving pawl and said closing holding pawlengaging said closing ratchet wheel to drive said ratchet shaft in asecond direction opposite said first direction upon energization of saidmotor.
 11. A circuit interrupter according to claim 9, a second limitswitch means, upon operation of said operating shaft to said openposition means automatically operating said second limit switch means toenergize said motor, and upon operation of said operating shaft to theclosed position, means automatically operating said second limit switchmeans to energize said motor.